Green Your Plate This St. Patrick’s Day

The following article was written by PETA celebrity marketing coordinator Lauren Gordon.

Looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with some green? As an alternative—or a complement—to the flashy green clothing, shamrock pins, and green beer typically associated with St. Patty’s Day, green your plate with yummy emerald-hued eats. And since meat’s not green (the meat industry has a devastating impact on our environment), these greens are all good for you, good for animals, and good for the planet. Now that’s something to celebrate!

Broccoli is one of the healthiest veggies out there. Ounce for ounce, broccoli contains more vitamin C than an orange and as much calcium as a glass of milk, and broccoli is rich in fiber and vitamin A. Additional broccoli benefits are its cancer-fighting properties and its ability to protect against strokes and cataracts. Get you broccoli boost with a tofu and broccoli stir-fry.

One of my favorite greens is the leafy and hearty kale. Kale is packed with B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and fiber. I enjoy blanching kale and then making a salad with it, or throwing it into a smoothie. Another personal favorite is sautéed kale as a tasty and healthy side dish.

There’s a reason that Popeye relied on spinach to keep him strong … this nutrient-dense green is full of antioxidants such as vitamin C and beta-carotene and vitamins A and K. Spinach contains cancer-fighting flavonoid compounds and a cartenoid that combats ovarian and prostate cancers. A true multitasker, spinach also improves brain function and cardiovascular health. Honor Popeye—and your own health—by making Popeye’s Spinach Pie. And if you’re in the mood for something richer, whip up some creamy spinach dip or creamed spinach (both vegan!).

Let us know what your favorite green is in the comments below. Which green will you eat this St. Patrick’s Day?

Kale may seem a little tough in a salad, hence it is often blanched first but I have discovered a method that overcomes that problem. This is now our family’s favorite salad. Was the kale and tear off the leaves from the stems but SAVE the stems. Tear the leaves into small pieces and place in bowl. Pour over some olive oil and massage thoroughly into the leaves (this is the key to rendering them tender). Use clean hands or wear plastic gloves. Now make the dressing. Chop up the stems and put in blender or Bullit with enough water to process until smooth. (Because the Bullit is small, you will have to make 2 batches.) Add fresh garlic, sea salt, apple cider vinegar, raw honey and olive oil and whiz until smooth. Adding raw sunflower seeds and or pumpkin seeds adds even more nutrients and makes a thicker dressing. Soak the seeds a few hours before and rinse (This helps to remove the protective coating that prevents the seed from being digested properly.) Adding curry powder gives it an entirely new taste which is yummy and even more nutrients because of the tumeric in the curry. Adding good-tasting nutritional yeast flakes (NOT BREWER’S) provides tons of B vitamins, especially B-12, more protein and chromium. Pour this over the kale and add chopped veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, cherry tomatoes. Enjoy a new taste treat that has more protein than meat and more calcium than milk.

This is a great post about green vegetables. Thank you for going into so much detail about brocolli and kale. After reading that, who wants to eat an orange now for vitamin C?

Seriously, I do agree with you here. I think there is so much to exploit when it comes to different vegetables. Spinach can be so tasty if you just consider your options as you mentioned here with the pie and creamy spinach dip. I am sure after people read this, they will have a few ideas to do things differently.

Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? Read more.